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FAQ

Q: CAN YOU PRINT SAMPLES?

Yes we can, but the set-up involved is expensive to get a sample of a screen printed job. We keep our prices low by keeping our set-up time down in comparison to our print time on each job. It takes 45 minutes per color/per print location to prepare screens and line them up on the press. Therefore it is just not cost prohibitive to set up for a few sample shirts or small reorders. We charge customers $20.00 per color to cover the labor and overhead involved if they really need a sample or small reorder. We assure our customers by sending a proof shown on a T-shirt (or whatever is being printed) so they get a good replica of what the garment is going to look like. Our customers are usually very happy with the results.

Q: DO YOU PRINT IN HOUSE?

All of our printing is done on site. We pride ourselves on the speed and quality we maintain. We guarantee our work and our customer satisfaction.

Q: WHAT FORMAT SHOULD MY ARTWORK BE SUBMITTED IN?

If you want to provide your own artwork we can take a number of different formats. The best format is always a vector file with outlined letters so that we can do a proper color separation. We can also use jpg, pdf or tiff files and manipulate them. If you are using spot color, illustrator files are best. For full color process we prefer jpg or tiff

Our graphics department can usually work with any graphic format. Feel free to call if you need assistance with artwork.

Q: HOW DO I PAY FOR MY ORDER?

Communigraphics loves cash and checks! We also except credit cards, money orders and paypal. We do not except DISCOVER. We require a 50% deposit before we begin your order for local customers and 100% payment up front for on-line orders.

Q: WHAT DO I DO IF I DON'T HAVE ANY ARTWORK TO SHOW OR GIVE YOU?

CommuniGraphics can take care of all your artwork needs from logo clean-up or creation to designing a T-shirt for any event. We have 3-4 artist on staff who love to create art, ideas and up to date designs using new screenprinting technology like discharge, soft inks, foil, glitter or just take a plain T-shirt and make it look great!

Q: HOW DO YOU PRICE YOUR PRODUCTS?

A: Our prices are based on quantity you order. The more shirts, hats or items you do with the exact same print, the less you will pay. Other factors such as your choice of garnets, print colors and number of locations will also factor into your final price.

Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO PRODUCE MY ORDER?

A: CommuniGraphics turns everything around in 10 working days + shipping days. We usually run close to that in spring and fall. However in the winter and summer and holiday season we can often produce orders in 5-7 with no problem.

Q DO YOU OFFER RUSH SERVICES?

A: We pride ourselves on and built our business on RUSH jobs. For an extra fee of 25% we have turned orders around in under 5 days. For 50% we have been known to do orders in the same day or within 24 hours. Rush fees usually apply if we have to move another customer off the schedule to complete your order and do them later or if we have to keep staff over during the night to cover the over-time costs. If it a slower time of year those rush fees can be waived but that varies depending on our schedule. In the spring (March-May) and fall (late August-October) rush fees usually apply for sure.

Q: WHAT IS AN UNDER BASE?

A: An under base is a layer of white ink that is printed under the colors when printing garments with screenprint ink. When printing on dark t-shirts the color of the shirt will show through the ink, the print will not have a true color. Yellow ink printed on green shirt looks blue. An under base of white ink prevents this from happening and give your prints a true color your expecting. Some printers often skip this to save money.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF BRANDS DO YOU CARRY?

A: We carry most major manufacturer in our industry and a few that are smaller but that we love ourselves so we sell. Email us for a catalogs, view or on-line catalog or call and ask. See the logos on this page for some familiar ones.

Q: HOW DO I GET THE COST DOWN?

A: Today everyone is trying to save money and we are more than happy to get you in a garment in your price range. For screenprinted garments here are some suggestions:

Print in fewer spots. (let us combine your art to fit in fewer places, we'll be glad to show you options).

Print with fewer colors, often designs even look better in less colors. Our most popular prints are 1 and 2 color prints. You don't always NEED all that color!

Q: HOW DO I GET MY ARTWORK TO YOU?

A: You can upload artwork from the bottom of our home page. Please name your file so it can be identified: (Company Name / Design Name). Also please include contact info (name, number, email).

Q: HOW MANY COLORS CAN YOU PRINT?

A. We can print 8 spot colors and full color process. We have several techniques to increase the number of colors customers see on their prints including using half tones, process printing or using the t-shirt color within the design.

Q: DO DARK SHIRTS COST MORE?

A: Yes! Dark shirts are more expensive when we buy them blank due to the dye used in them. They require an underboss print to make colors opaque. Therefore there are two factors working against the cost of dark garments.

Q: CAN I MIX THE SHIRT TYPES IN MY ORDER (T-SHIRTS, TANKS,HOODIES, LONGSLEEVE, SHORTSLEEVE)?

A: Yes, if the art is the same on each shirt and is printed in the same location and size on all the shirts. There is a wash fee of $10.00 if you change ink colors from one color T-shirt to the other. This covers the labor cost to clean the screen, and put in a new color of ink. For example if you print pink shirts with black in and green shirts with yellow print, we charge you to change the ink color from black to yellow.

Q: WILL THE PRINTING FADE ON MY SHIRTS AFTER A FEW WASHINGS?

A: If printed and cured (heated) properly the print should last long after the shirt is worn out. Plastisol screen print inks are very durable. The hand and feel of ink may soften with numerous washings. Prints can be damaged if you iron a screen printed garment or wash them with bleach or bleach detergent. 100% cotton shirts can often appear faded after washing because the cotton fibers tend to fluff up or puff up a little, so occasionally with the right type of print cotton shirts appear to have faded when they really haven't. If you're concerned about this it is best to use 50/50 blends.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES A SAMPLE SHIRT COST?

A: Printed samples shirts are $30 per imprinted color, per side. This is because of the labor involved in burning images and setting up the press to run a sample and is not cost effective. However we provide wonderful pre-production proofs that show the size, colors and location of your print. 98% of our customers are very happy and satisfied with this process and save themselves the cost of printed sample shirts. We are also happy to provide you with a blank sample of the garment to see and feel.

Q: WHAT IS THE GUARANTEE ON YOUR WORK?

A: 100%! We're not perfect, but we try to be. In 20 years we have had to take back, redo or reimburse some orders. But we do it fast and more than fairly. Usually customers come back to us because they say " we feel safe knowing it'll be right or done over!" We take mistakes as opportunity to show you how much you can count on us. We want to earn your business (and forgiveness if necessary) not lose it. We have a company system that makes sure your order is inspected at 3 points during the production process. Sometimes, especially with rush orders things happen, but we strive daily to eliminate problems and make sure our customers get the best quality possible and that their expectation are more than met!

Q: DO YOU DO ATHLETIC NUMBERING AND/OR LETTERING?

A: Communigraphics is happy to offer you several options for athletic numbering, lettering or individual names.

Q: ARE GARMENTS ALWAYS AVAILABLE?

A: Unfortunately no, especially in the current economy, manufacturers are not shelving as much merchandise as they have in the past. Vendors can run out of colors or styles. We offer customer the choice of waiting for backordered garments to arrive or substituting garments (especially in larger sizes). We order your garments within 2 days of placing your order so we can usually catch this problem pretty quickly and get with your on alternatives.

Q: WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH RISING TSHIRT COST?

A: There are two main issues reeking havoc on the T-shirt industry and clothing industry in general. The main problem is that cotton farmers plan in advance (years) how much cotton they plan to harvest (using space for growing other things). When the economy began to fall farmers reduced the amount of cotton they planed to produce because the demand was way down. Then in several countries rain destroyed a large amount of cotton farms. Therefore there was a double hit on the cotton available. General rules of supply and demand tell you that those who buy cotton (anyone who manufacturers any kind of clothing) got in a bidding war for the available cotton. This is not an issue that hits a single year, but can take 3-4 years to be solved. Cotton can not be grown and harvested quickly so need continues to back up, especially as the economy improves. The result is that the cost of anything involving cotton is constantly rising. We have seen T-shirt pricing double in 6 months, in 20 years of printing t-shirts Communigraphics has not seen more than a 14% overall increase in cost. So this issue is highly effecting the pricing you are used to getting for customized garments of any type and is a world wide issue.

Q: THERE ARE SO MANY TYPES OF TSHIRTS, HOW DO I CHOOSE?

A: That's easy, let us know what is important to you and we will steer you in the correct directions. The options are exciting! The t-shirt industry is constantly growing and changing. Comfort comes in more colors and variations than ever before. So just decide what you want. Soft, lightweight, heavyweight, tight, loose, short sleeve, shorter sleeves, xxxxxxlg, no sleeves, wicking, tye dye? That's the best part, no matter what you want we can help you find it!

Q: I HAVE A LOT OF LARGER PEOPLE IN MY GROUP, CAN I GET SOMETHING TO FIT THEM?

A: Absolutely - as America gets bigger, the apparel industry offer's more and more products in larger sizes. We have a huge selection of clothing (thirst, golf shirts, jackets, women's apparel) available up to 6X and a selection as large as 8X. Big guys and gals are no problem!

Communigraphics

CommuniGraphics is a 20 year old company located in North Augusta, SC. We made our home in an old funeral parlor (which provides lots of stories all on its own) on one of the main roads in our community. CommuniGraphics is a family run business that was built on quality work, exceptional service and fair prices. With over 30 employees, the company encompasses three different shops in a 13,000 square foot facility. A Screenprint Shop, Embroidery Shop and a full Sign Shop. In addition in 2003 a gift store was added in the chapel of the funeral home that has grown from 500 sq feet to 2500, providing the community a place to purchase locally made merchandise, SC and USA made merchandise as well as gifts for the whole family.